Geology Of The Eastern Rift System Of Africa

Presents key results of hydrocarbon exploration activities by Amoco and other oil companies during the 1980s and 1990s in a number of rift segments in East Africa. Early chapters give a detailed review of the geological and geophysical data of the main regions explored, and later chapters present ge

This new volume on the Geology of East Africa provides a concise account of the multi-faceted regional geology and stratigraphy of East Africa, that is Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Much of the data presented, however, is highly relevant to the surrounding countries and regions as well. Professionals and students, intending to delve into the details of the geological history of that region will appreciate the present volume as a stepping-stone, paving the way to additional studies of the numerous references given in this work.

The seismically and volcanically active East African Rift System is an ideal laboratory for continental break-up processes: it encompasses all stages of rift development. Its northernmost sectors within the Afar volcanic province include failed rifts, nascent sea-floor spreading, and youthful passive continental margins associated with one or more mantle plumes. A number of models have been proposed to explain the success and failure of continental rift zones, but there remains no consensus on how strain localizes to achieve rupture of initially 125-250 km-thick plates, or on the interaction between the plates and asthenospheric processes. This collection of papers provides new structural, stratigraphic, geochemical and geophysical data and numerical models needed to resolve fundamental questions concerning continental break-up and mantle plume processes. The focus is on how mantle melt intrudes and is distributed through the plate, and how this magma intrusion process controls along-axis segmentation and facilitates break-up.

Developments in Geotectonics, 7: East African Rifts focuses on the movements, structure, and behavior of the East African rift system. The selection first offers information on the surface structure and plate tectonics of Afar; tectonic and magmatic significance of volcanism in the Afar depression; and preliminary interpretation of the gravity field of Afar, northeast Ethiopia. Discussions focus on crustal models of Afar based on gravity and seismic data, tectonics, volcanism, geological setting, and crustal extension. The text also elaborates on the gravity survey of the central part of the Ethiopian Rift Valley and an aeromagnetic survey of the Afar triangle of Ethiopia. The book examines the arrangement and development of continental rift zones, East African rift development, and the seismicity of the East African rift system. Topics include earthquake mechanisms, seismicity, and the main categories of rift zones. The manuscript is a dependable reference for readers interested in the East African rifts.

This new volume on the Geology of East Africa provides a concise account of the multi-faceted regional geology and stratigraphy of East Africa, that is Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Much of the data presented, however, is highly relevant to the surrounding countries and regions as well. Professionals and students, intending to delve into the details of the geological history of that region will appreciate the present volume as a stepping-stone, paving the way to additional studies of the numerous references given in this work.

This book describes the interrelationship between the spectacular geology of an area of East Africa that includes a branch of the rift valley, as well as giant freestanding ice-capped mountains and extraordinarily toxic, alkaline lakes, and some of the greatest concentrations of wildlife on Earth. It suggests that geological processes that have shaped the iconic landforms, including active volcanoes, may also be responsible for the unusually diverse speciation which characterises the region. Moreover, it is not a coincidence that important palaeoanthropological discoveries have been unearthed in the region. National parks and conservation areas have tremendous potential for geotourism and the book assists both tour guides and visitors in this regard. In addition, the book may provide a better understanding to management of the importance of geology for sustaining wildlife.